Knoll Designer Bios

Hazel Siegel

b. USA, 1942

Hazel Siegel, who holds an undergraduate degree in textile design and a master’s in fine art, began her career with Knoll as a design consultant. In 1989, shortly after the textiles department officially became KnollTextiles, Siegel was named Creative Director.

Soon after assuming the position, Siegel introduced her inaugural collection — 33 patterns offered in 430 colors, an unprecedented accomplishment in contract textiles. True to Knoll’s heritage, much of the collection was inspired by the Bauhaus, with repeating patterns based on works by the school’s masters. A standout mini-collection drew inspiration from the paintings of Paul Klee.

In addition to introducing her own designs, Siegel extended the Knoll tradition of collaboration commissioning work from world-class textile designers and, for the first time, architects. Upon her invitation, Peter Eisenman became the first architect to design an entire collection for KnollTextiles.

In 1994, Siegel started Textus, a textiles company devoted to modern design, which was later bought by the Momentum Group. She now teaches at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.